Verde Recreo Men’s League South East 2

Bridgwater C 1, Chard A 5

Five wins from five but, by Chard’s own high standards, this performance fell short of what they are striving for.

Although not quite at the tempo of the opening 20 minutes of last week’s game, Chard were particularly effective down their right wing with good interplay between Gareth Eggle and Jason Goddard and telling support from Chris Knight and Trevor Goss.

They eased into a three goal lead with Riley Millett netting twice and Eggle scoring in between.

Bridgwater converted a questionable penalty corner to reduce the arrears and Chard were frustrated for the rest of the first half as a succession of chances were wasted, Eggle and Harvey Dening both having an off day for putting shots between the posts and the home side’s keeper saving those which were on target.

Chard thought they had further reward for all their pressure just before half-time when awarded a penalty flick.

Dening duly converted and goal initially awarded, only to be ruled out after consultation between the umpires for a slap shot rather than a flick.

Chard continued to control the game in large part in the second half but they had to be on their toes defensively, when Bridgwater launched some swift counter-attacks.

Although called into action on only a few occasions, Ian Rockett in goal gave an assured performance.

A positive for Chard was their remaining true to their pattern of play, even when its execution went awry, rather than falling back on long ball clearances.

Trevor Goss thought he had scored a fourth, his goalbound shot being cleared off the line by a Bridgwater defender, and the home side’s young keeper then performed more heroics, particularly when Dening was put through one on one against him looking odds on to score.

Chard’s and Dening’s patience was eventually rewarded with two late goals for the striker and for the scoreline to finally reflect some measure of Chard’s attacking superiority.

Team: I Rockett, T Eames (capt), P Tratt, N Gage, S Mahoney, T Goss, J Goddard, R Millett, C Knight, H Dening, G Eggle.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Chard 1sts lost 3-2 at West Dorset in South East 2 - Chard host East Devon A on Saturday.

Chard B were without a game but host Sidmouth & Ottery B on Saturday.

Chard ladies lost 5-1 at home to Exe 3rds in Sedgemoor 1.

Friendly

Yeovil & Sherborne Sunday Ladies 5, Chard Sunday Ladies 2

Chard started well, scoring first through Crocus Douglas who had a good game on the left wing.

They continued to push forward but Yeovil & Sherborne fought back and scored two goals in quick succession.

Before half-time the home team slotted away two more goals despite an excellent stint of goalkeeping from Alice Gibbons.

The second half saw a more determined Chard tighten up their marking and use the width of the pitch to more effect.

Ros Clemmans, Julie Saxsby and Heidi Warren all put in a huge work load and this was rewarded with a second goal for Chard from Rachel Derham.

Yeovil & Sherborne scored their fifth goal against the run of play.